Abstract: The illustrated embodiments include a method of operating a SAW sensor to detect a sample in a fluid which includes the steps of: providing a SAW sensor with a functionalized detection lane in a handheld, portable assay and sensor system; maintaining the functionalized detection lane of the SAW sensor dry until the sample is fluidicly disposed in the detection lane; fluidicly disposing the sample in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid the functionalized detection lane to concentrate the sample in the functionalized detection lane to increase the probability of a specific antibody-antigen interaction; washing the functionalized detection lane so that substantially only the specific antigen-antibody interaction remains in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid from the functionalized detection lane again; and measuring concentration of the sample while the functionalized detection lane is fluid-free.

Abstract: A field portable diagnostic apparatus uses a rotatable disk in which a microfluidic circuit is defined. The microfluidic circuit includes a centrifugal separation chamber receiving a sample to stratify the sample. A magnetic bead holding chamber is communicated to a mixing chamber, where mass amplifying functionalized magnetic-nanoparticles, held in a buffer solution and contained in the magnetic bead holding reservoir communicated to mixing chamber, are mixed with the separated fluid delivered to mixing chamber from the separation chamber. The functionalized magnetic nanoparticles conjugate with a target analyte in the sample. A magnet in proximity to a SAW chamber including a SAW detector draws the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles toward antibodies immobilized on the SAW sensor surface A wash reservoir is communicated to the SAW sensor chamber, and a cleanup/waste reservoir is communicated to the SAW chamber for receive fluid after it has passed through the SAW chamber.

Abstract: An cartridge is combined with a smart device which is capable of communicating with a network to perform a portable, fast, field assay of a small sample biological analyte. A closed microfluidic circuit for mixes the analyte with a buffer with functionalized magnetic beads capable of being specifically combined with the analyte. A detector communicates with the microfluidic circuit in which the mixed analyte, buffer and combined functionalized magnetic beads are sensed. A microcontroller is coupled to detector for controlling the detector and for data processing an output assay signal from the detector. A user interface communicates with the microcontroller for providing user input and for providing user output through the smart device to the network.